"The Fortunate Youth" has the magic of pure romance and the dramatic qualities that are a part of life's experiences when a man rises to great heights from poverty, oppression and mystery. Mr. Locke depicts a new sort of vagabond --Paul, a slum child whose only fortune is his extraordinary physical beauty. This beauty helps Paul to win his way upward in the social scale, and on his path he passes through various strata of Bohemia -- the caravan, the studio and thestage -- to the fulfillment of his splendid destiny.

red with Paul's. Naturally they came in for clouts and thumps like all the children in Budge Street; it was only Paul who underwent organized chastisement. The little Buttons often did wrong; but in the mother's eyes Paul could never do right. In an animal way she was fond of the children of Button, and in a way equally animal she bore a venomous dislike to the child of Keg-worthy. Who and what Kegworthy had been neither Paul nor any inhabitant of Bludston knew. Once the boy inquired, and she broke a worn frying-pan over his head. Kegworthy, whoever he might have been, was wrapt in mystery. She had appeared in the town when Paul was a year old, giving herself out as a widow. That she was by no means destitute was obvious from the fact that she at once rented the house in Budge Street, took in lodgers, and lived at her ease. Button, who was one of the lodgers, cast upon her the eyes of desire and married her. Why she married Button she could never determine. Perhaps she had a romantic idea--and there is romanc

Reader Reviews

A rags to riches story of a boy who goes from a poor and cruel childhood to young political leader of England in love with a beautiful woman. The story doesn’t hold any surprises; the kid was extremely handsome, extraordinarily smart, optimistically driven, and had lots of good luck, so you knew he wouldn’t fail. Well written but wasn’t my favorite of William Locke’s books, but maybe I’m just envious of articulate attractive brilliant people that get everything they want out of life.

It is a very lovely story to read, showing how fate when gives beauty and intelligence to a person, the gates of success are ready to open for him, of course, with some struggle & effort involved. Briefly speaking, WORTH READING.